I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 142 together.
I understand from the Southern Health Board that Cork University Hospital is unaware of any case where non-consultant hospital doctors were forced to refer a case to the Labour Relations Commission for payment of outstanding salaries. The board has informed me that where discrepancies in salary payments for hours worked occur, the medical administration department, together with the head of the specialty involved, meet with the non-consultant hospital doctors concerned and adjust payment where warranted.
In relation to unrostered hours, the Irish Medical Organisation sought an investigation of hours worked by non-consultant hospital doctors at Cork University Hospital between July 1999 and February 2000. The two sides agreed to refer the issue to a third party for arbitration. The arbitrator issued recommendations on 13 April 2000. Cork University Hospital have accepted the findings of the arbitrator. The Irish Medical Organisation have agreed to ballot their members on the findings.
On a national level, Deputies will be aware that difficulties have arisen for both health service employers and junior doctors regarding implementation of the 1997 contract. I welcome the intervention of the Labour Relations Commission and the agreement which was reached between the Health Service Employers Agency and the Irish Medical Organisation on 16 May 2000. The package agreed includes improved overtime payments and the appointment of senior managers to deal with difficulties that arise in relation to the rostering of junior doctors. It was also agreed that the parties will work towards the elimination of continuous periods of duty.
Discussions on the remaining agenda will be held under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. It is now important that a comprehensive deal is agreed over the next number of weeks to ensure a genuine reform of the system and a proper management framework for hours worked by non-consultant hospital doctors.
